Vietnamese animal enthusiasts develop new crush on falconry (photos)

A number of pet lovers in Vietnam have embraced their love for falconry, a hobby unknown to many Vietnamese.

Falconry, the hobby of breeding falcons and training them to hunt other birds or small animals, is a relatively uncommon activity in Vietnam. 

Not only does the sport require sophistication and patience from falconers, but Vietnam is not a native home to the birds and the falconers must import them from countries like India, Malaysia, and Egypt.

A group of 20 residents in the southern province of Binh Duong have formed a club named Thu Dau Mot Falconry Club, where they share their hobby of raising the birds of prey.

The group raises many types of raptors including falcons, eagles, and kestrels.

The first step of falconry is taming the birds’ wild behavior so that they hunt under the control of the trainers. 

This step can take years and requires much effort on the side of the trainer – often between six months and three years before the birds become acquainted with humans and finish the hunting training.

A raptor can cost anywhere from VND500,000 (US$22.32) to millions of VND, but tamed birds are priceless because of the bond they have formed with their trainers.

A falconer trains his bird to hunt in the sky. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A trainer’s indispensible tools are his leather gloves and whistles. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A falconer bleeds after being accidentally scratched by his birds. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A falconer feeds water to his bird. Photo: Tuoi Tre

A bird is trained to hunt under the control of falconers. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Dang Thanh Tu, a falconer, is seen taking care of his eagle. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Men and their feathered friends. Photo: Tuoi Tre

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